UFC 319: Du Plessis vs Chimaev - Aug 16 ??

[jimufctna24]

As Wand noted above, Chimaev wasn't especially aggressive, electing not to attempt meaningful GnP or submissions. That isn't so much of a criticism. If a fighter has a questionable gas tank and is competing in a 5 rounder, it is probably sensible not to risk punching himself out, scrambles, etc, all of which can obviously drain stamina. 

[wandshogun09]

Yeah I do think Khamzat was probably conscious of the fact it might have to go the distance and was hesitant to expend too much energy as a result. Like Bruce says, it was clear he could take DDP down whenever he wanted so he really didn’t have a lot to lose by opening up a bit more when he was on top. Not like DDP posed a threat off his back either. The only explanation really is that Khamzat didn’t wanna go for the kill and use too much energy. Maybe there’s something to that because the only moment of success DDP had the whole fight was in the last minute of the fight. Whether that was down to a lapse in concentration by Khamzat or him being tired or what, I don’t know. But thinking about it, all the talk going in was ‘if Khamzat fades…’, let’s face it, him gassing out was probably the only way DDP was gonna win. In that sense, I can’t even blame Khamzat for fighting more conservatively. It made for a much less entertaining fight to watch for me though. 

[wandshogun09]

Khamzat finally wins the belt only to immediately fly back to Chechnya to let fucking Kadyrov parade the belt around as if he won the thing. Smashing.